Downing will bring winning mentality

Tony Mowbray believes deadline day signing Paul Downing will bring a host of valuable qualities to the group.

The manager knows the central defender well, having worked with him at West Brom, where Downing started his career.

From there, the 25-year-old joined Walsall, where he played over 150 league games.

During his four-season stay at the Bescot Stadium, Downing played in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley in March 2015 and helped Walsall reached the League One play-offs the following season.

A tall and talented defender - who has joined on a season-long loan from MK Dons - Mowbray is pleased to have a player who is used to winning matches on board.

"Paul Downing is a player I know from my days at West Brom when he was around the youth team and just progressing past that," said the Rovers boss.

"He's been to Walsall and had some very successful times at Walsall in the very good team that they had a couple of years ago.

"So he knows what it is like to be at the top end of League One and the pressures of that.

"I would say he's a footballing centre-half. A good stature at 6'2" or 6'3", but he can play the ball out from the back.

"I know his personality and having spoken to him he is looking forward to the challenge."